Usman Nurmagomedov's Manager Predicts Victory Over Ilia Topuria Within Four Rounds

Usman Nurmagomedov's manager Ali Abdelaziz has publicly predicted that the undefeated PFL lightweight champion would defeat Ilia Topuria by stoppage within four rounds, matching the timeline of Justin Gaethje's recent victory over the former two-division UFC titleholder. The bold forecast emerged following Nurmagomedov's dominant performance at PFL New York, where he retained his title with a knockout victory over Archie Colgan.

The Prediction and Its Context

Abdelaziz, who manages both Gaethje and Nurmagomedov, drew a direct parallel to the champion's recent title loss. Gaethje defeated Topuria via fourth-round corner stoppage at UFC Freedom 250, marking the Georgian fighter's first professional defeat after finishes against Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. In a statement on social media, Abdelaziz asserted: "I told everyone before that Justin Gaethje would beat Ilia Topuria. And I'm telling you today: Usman Nurmagomedov will stop Ilia Topuria within four rounds."

Nurmagomedov's record now stands at 22-0 following his opening-round knockout of Colgan at the UBS Arena. The victory exhausted his current PFL contract, making the 28-year-old Dagestani fighter one of the sport's most sought-after free agents. UFC President Dana White has publicly expressed interest in signing Nurmagomedov, though the fighter continues to weigh options between rejoining the PFL or pursuing a move to the UFC.

Market Competition and Fighter Status

Topuria, despite his first career loss, remains one of the UFC's biggest draws. His record sits at 17-1 following the defeat to Gaethje. The potential matchup between these lightweight contenders has already captured the attention of fight fans and analysts, though such a bout would require Nurmagomedov to complete his transition to the UFC. The PFL is expected to present a competitive offer to retain its champion, creating uncertainty about where Nurmagomedov will compete next.